January 04, 2009
This weekend in the backyard
Although I'd always heard that hummingbirds ate small insects and drank nectar, it sure looked like this guy was eating the petals of the white flowers to his right. (Click on image for larger version.)
A couple of hours later, I spotted the hummingbird flitting about above the Golden Rain Tree, pausing occasionally to perch for a few moments before zooming out of sight. (Click on image for larger version.)
One corner of the backyard featured a riot of fall colors -- but Saturday's windstorm removed most of the leaves from their branches. One bird was barely noticeable, at least until he hopped along the fence, the motion drawing my eye to the bottom left of the frame. (Click on image for larger version.)
This web is near the egg sack of an Orb Weaver spider, which it seems to spend 20 hours a day guarding. If you take a close look, you'll see tiny drops of dew along the silken strands, as well as a prismatic effect, the morning sun passing through and breaking down into the colors of the visible spectrum. (Click on image for larger version.)
Here's something I've never seen before: a garden snail suspended in mid-air, caught in one of the webs strung between the trees.
This brightly colored fellow is a recent arrival; I'm adding some Nyjer seed to the backyard to encourage him to stick around.
Posted by Mike Lief at January 4, 2009 10:54 PM
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Comments
Beautiful photographs. I particularly fancy the humming bird.
Posted by: I Live Green at January 5, 2009 11:18 PM
You ought to combine your photo skills with hiking/backpacking to get to some far away places. You've got some serious talent, Mike.
Posted by: Bill at January 6, 2009 12:58 PM